Clinical research specialist vs specialist

The differences between clinical research specialists and specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clinical research specialist and a specialist. Additionally, a clinical research specialist has an average salary of $60,945, which is higher than the $58,013 average annual salary of a specialist.

The top three skills for a clinical research specialist include patients, clinical trials and informed consent. The most important skills for a specialist are patients, customer service, and work ethic.

Clinical research specialist vs specialist overview

	Clinical Research Specialist	Specialist
Yearly salary	$60,945	$58,013
Hourly rate	$29.30	$27.89
Growth rate	6%	10%
Number of jobs	96,707	358,433
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	44	42
Years of experience	2	2

What does a clinical research specialist do?

An air traffic controller specializes in overseeing and directing airspace traffic, all while maintaining an active line of communication with aircraft to ensure safe and efficient air travels. Generally assigned in ground control centers and towers, an air traffic controller's responsibilities revolve around utilizing technology to monitor flight paths, weather, and airport runways to guide pilots and airport personnel. They also work on coordinating with other control officers, inspecting and maintaining instruments and equipment in good condition, and alerting departments and assigned personnel should there be any emergencies.

What does a specialist do?

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.

Clinical research specialist vs specialist salary

Clinical research specialists and specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Clinical Research Specialist	Specialist
Average salary	$60,945	$58,013
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $87,000	Between $32,000 And $104,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Jersey City, NJ
Highest paying state	California	New Jersey
Best paying company	Edwards Lifesciences	The Citadel
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	-

Differences between clinical research specialist and specialist education

There are a few differences between a clinical research specialist and a specialist in terms of educational background:

	Clinical Research Specialist	Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Biology	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Clinical research specialist vs specialist demographics

Here are the differences between clinical research specialists' and specialists' demographics:

	Clinical Research Specialist	Specialist
Average age	44	42
Gender ratio	Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%	Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 11.0% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	11%

Differences between clinical research specialist and specialist duties and responsibilities

Clinical research specialist example responsibilities.

Manage the input of the subjects' data among various management database including iMedidata, EDC.
Develop and project manage a staffing program model to support inpatient oncology.
Manage all planning and execution of oncology clinical trials, domestic and international, including decision impact and companion diagnostic trials.
Review and edit clinical documentation for FDA submission and approval.
Prepare investigator initiate and industry study protocol for IRB review and approval.
Participate in study developments to ensure compliance with FDA regulations and guidelines.

Specialist example responsibilities.

Create, manage, and assist users with SharePoint sites.
Manage an on-site IRB and company good clinical practice (GCP) inspection.
Manage SharePoint sites by creating, editing, and customizing company sites, libraries and security.
Manage the building of accounts, assigning of static IP's, and scheduling of business class installations.
Convert servers from UNIX to Linux, all hardware diagnostics and repair including printers/plotters/desktops etc.
Follow safety procedures such as maintenance of all equipment (Telxon scanners, terminals and ladders).

Clinical research specialist vs specialist skills

Common clinical research specialist skills

Patients, 12%
Clinical Trials, 8%
Informed Consent, 8%
Data Collection, 7%
IRB, 6%
Research Data, 5%

Common specialist skills

Patients, 15%
Customer Service, 11%
Work Ethic, 5%
Patient Care, 4%
Exceptional Client, 4%
Troubleshoot, 4%

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Clinical Research Specialist
Clinical Research Specialist vs Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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